Hamilton Nationals - 2 pointers

Hamilton Nationals - News and Notes July 29th

The Hamilton Nationals have clinched a playoff berth and will head to Philadelphia for Championship Weekend on August 24th. This will be the third time in team history that the Nationals have advanced to the postseason. The Nationals won the championship in 2009 and in 2011 made it to the Finals before falling short to the Boston Cannons.

Not only did the Nationals clinch a playoff spot, but they also earned their ninth win to extend their single-season wins record. The record was broken last week when they notched their eighth win in a 13-12 win over the Ohio Machine on July 20^th.

Rookie Garrett Thul led the Nationals with six points (5+1+0) in the 17-12 win Saturday night over the Boston Cannons. Thul started off the game with two goals in the first quarter, including his second two pointer of his career, to help the Nationals take a 6-1 lead at the end of the first.  He then went on to score three more times in the fourth quarter to seal the Nationals win.

Brett Queener scored the second goal of the contest, which was the first MLL goal of his career. He also made 17 saves. Queener and the Nationals defense held leading point producer Paul Rabil to just a two-point goal that didn’t come until the fourth quarter.

Kevin Cunningham tied his career best with five points (2+3). Cunningham connected with Thul twice in the first quarter, and also found the back of the net for three points in the first quarter. Cunningham has 21 assists this season and trails just Joe Walters for the team lead. Walters continues to lead to the league in assists with 22. Kevin Crowley, who leads the team with 44 points, scored once Saturday to extend his point streak to 27 games. Crowley is now tied for second in points in the MLL with Chris Bocklet of the Denver Outlaws. 

Thul ,Queener and Cunningham will head to Baltimore for the US National Team try outs, alongside teammates Tucker Durkin, Mike Poppleton, Roman Lao-Gosney, and Cameron Lao-Gosney from August 30th through September 1st. 

The Nationals are back home on Saturday August 10th for a 3:00 p.m. game against the undefeated Denver Outlaws (12-0). For tickets call 905-525-NATS (6287).

Hamilton Nationals - News and Notes

The Hamilton Nationals’ 13-12 win over the Ohio Machine may not have clinched them their playoff berth, but it did set the team record for wins in a season. The Nationals earned their eighth victory of the season, surpassing the mark set in 2009 and 2011. Not only did the team break a record but there were several players that hit milestones as well.

Joe Walters opened up the game with back-to-back goals before Martin Cahill put in two to keep the Nationals goal streak going. Kevin Cunningham and Kevin Crowley also put in a goal apiece to give Hamilton a 6-0 lead.

Cody Jamieson had a career best six points with his two goals and four assists. Walters and Jamieson, who also play together for the Rochester Knighthawks, hooked up in the fourth quarter. Walters connected with Jamieson for his 100th assist of his career.

Kevin Crowley’s two-point game not only continued his point streak to 26, but his second goal was his 100th career point. Crowley just came off of the All-Star Game, where he earned the MVP with a five-point game. Crowley is currently in third in points with 43 and second in goals with 31.

Dillon Ward made the second start of his career for the Nationals on Saturday. Ward held the Machine off for nearly 20 minutes before Ohio rookie Logan Schuss found the back of the net to get the Machine on the board. Ward, who made 17 saves, improved to 1-1.

As for the playoffs, the Nationals can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a Charlotte loss Saturday. The last time the Nationals were in the playoffs was in 2011, when they went to the Championship and lost by one to Boston. In 2009, the Nationals won the MLL Championship, defeating Denver 9-8.

The Nationals next game will be on Saturday, July 27th at Ron Joyce Stadium against the Boston Cannons. For tickets call 905-525-NATS (6287).

Hamilton Nationals - News and Notes

Five Hamilton Nationals headed to Charlotte for the All-Star Game this past weekend. Kevin Crowley opened up the game with a goal from Supernova, and he was only getting started. Crowley then put in another two as well as two assists en route to five points and MVP honors. The Nationals midfielder currently leads the Nationals in points and goals, and is riding a 25-game point streak.

Joe Walters made his sixth trip to the All Star Game, and put in three goals for Team Supernova. Walters currently leads the Nationals in assists and is the all team leader in points, goals and assists for Hamilton.

Rookie Kevin Cunningham made his first All Star Game appearance and finished with one assist. Cunningham currently has 26 assists for the Nationals, putting him in second just behind Walters.

Goalie Brett Queener was found in the stands throughout the first half of the All-Star Game, getting well acquainted with the fans. This was his fourth All-Star Game of his career. Queener made nine stops and also put in one goal for Team Eclipse. Nationals teammate Crowley scored back-to-back goals on Queener in the fourth quarter.

Brodie Merrill made his eighth visit to the MLL All Star Game after playing his 100th MLL game against the Rochester Rattlers the week before. Merrill has the all-time number of ground balls in the league and scooped up two in the All-Star Game. He also had one assist.

The Nationals represented Hamilton by not only having Crowley bring home the MVP award, but also by collecting in 11 points. The five All-Stars will be back at Ron Joyce Stadium on the Saturday, July 20th to take on the Ohio Machine for the second time this season. For tickets, call 905-525-NATS (6287).